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| Town Guard |
Town Guard |
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The Kimberley Town Guard was raised in October 1899 to defend the city
from the possibility of Boer attack.
By 26th November the strength
of the Town Guard, which was to perform valuable service, had been increased
to 130 officers and 2,520 non-commissioned officers and men.
During the siege there
were very many skirmishes and
sorties in which the mounted men did most of the fighting, while the
infantry, including the Town Guard, held the trenches and defensive works.
In the making of these works coloured labour, largely provided by the De
Beers Company, was mainly employed. Very soon the defences were so strong
that the Boers were afraid to face an assault indeed, all through the siege
the defenders did most of the active or attacking work, the enemy relying
mainly on artillery and long-range rifle-fire.
COLONEL
KEKEWICH'S REPORT.—Major (local Lieutenant Colonel) T C Peakman was
associated in early days of siege with organisation of Town Guard; his
experience and local knowledge were of great assistance to me; subsequently
he commanded a squadron of Light Horse, and on death of Lieutenant Colonel
Turner was selected by me for command of all mounted corps; he has shown
much courage under fire, and is a most deserving and excellent officer;
wounded November 18th.
KlMBERLEY
AND BEACONSFIELD TOWN GUARDS
Major J R Fraser, late Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, retired, at first as
Staff-officer and later as CO, did excellent work, and has shown great
energy and resource. Captain C A Blackboard did much good work in
connection with interior economy of the Guard and keeping order in
Beaconsfield. Captain W Nelson, valuable services in collection of
information and procuring enemy's cattle for food of garrison. Lieutenant
Colonel D Harris, VD, arrived when Town Guard was being raised, threw
himself most heartily into work, and was of greatest assistance; much praise
is due to him for his good work in looking after comforts and interests of
Town Guard in works and redoubts, which entailed much hard work and
fatigue. Captain B Richards, good work as Staff-officer. Captain B E A
O'Meara performed duties of garrison-adjutant and quartermaster with much
zeal and energy; rendered valuable services. Captain T Tyson performed
duties of assistant military censor to my complete satisfaction. Captain W
Pickering, rendering much valuable assistance from date of my arrival, and
during a portion of siege commanded a section of defence with success.
Captain T L Angel did good work in command of Cyclist Corps. Lieutenant E F
Paynham, assistant to the Intelligence Officer, rendered very great
assistance in dealing with correspondence of a confidential nature. The
following officers also did good work:—Captains F Mandy, J R Grimmer, W S
Elkin, H Pirn, J Adams, C E Hertog, J Morton, C Tabuteau, E H Moseley, G
White, W H Faulkner, A Blum, H Rugg, J Armstrong; Lieutenants C D Lucas, H
Tabuteau, J J Coghlan, T Callen, W G Wright, J A Carr, J Brander- Dunbar, S
O'Molony. Sergeant Major J P Russell, late RE, as warrant officer, did much
valuable work in connection with superintendence of native labour employed
on construction of defence works. Sergeant J Russell, Cyclist Corps, is
deserving of mention for good work.
LORD ROBERTS' DESPATCHES: 2nd April 1901.—Lieutenant Colonel D Harris, VD,
who got the CMG, Captains T L Angel, F Mandy, B E A O'Meara, W Pickering, S
Richards; Lieutenants C J Lucas, E F Paynham, Sergeant Major J P Russell,
Sergeant J Russell.
4th September 1901.—Major J R Fraser, Captain W Nelson, Captain L R Grimmer,
Lieutenant J Brander-Dunbar (Captain, 3rd Cameron Highlanders).
WlNDSORTON TOWN GUARD
Lieutenant W A Williams.
